John Osborne

John Osborne (12 December 1929 – 24 December 1994) was an English playwright, screenwriter, and actor, known for his excoriating prose and intense critical stance towards established social and political norms. He is best remembered for his play Look Back in Anger, which transformed English theatre.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

John James Osborne was born in London, England. He was the son of Thomas Godfrey Osborne, a commercial artist and advertising copywriter, and Nellie Beatrice Grove, a barmaid. Osborne's father died in 1941, and he was subsequently sent to a series of boarding schools, from which he was expelled. He left school at the age of 16 and began working as a journalist and later as a stage manager and actor.

Career[edit | edit source]

Osborne's career as a playwright began in earnest with the production of Look Back in Anger in 1956 by the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre. The play was a critical and commercial success and is often credited with launching the "Angry Young Men" movement in British theatre. The protagonist, Jimmy Porter, became an iconic figure of post-war British disillusionment.

Following the success of Look Back in Anger, Osborne wrote several other notable plays, including The Entertainer (1957), Luther (1961), and Inadmissible Evidence (1964). His work often explored themes of social alienation, class conflict, and the struggles of the individual against societal constraints.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Osborne's personal life was marked by a series of tumultuous relationships. He was married five times, to actresses Pamela Lane, Mary Ure, Penelope Gilliatt, Jill Bennett, and Helen Dawson. His marriages were often stormy and ended in divorce or estrangement.

Later Years and Death[edit | edit source]

In his later years, Osborne's output slowed, and he became increasingly reclusive. He continued to write, producing works such as A Better Class of Person (1981), an autobiography, and Déjà Vu (1991), a sequel to Look Back in Anger. Osborne died of complications from diabetes on 24 December 1994 at his home in Shropshire.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

John Osborne is widely regarded as one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. His work has had a lasting impact on British theatre and has inspired generations of playwrights. The raw emotional power and social critique in his plays continue to resonate with audiences today.